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Hopes Dashed for Release of the 2015 KTM 390 Adventure?

 We get the scoop from KTM on the status of this new Adventure Bike model.

Published on 08.15.2014

Is the KTM 390 Duke Naked Bike a suitable platform for an Adventure Bike?

In April of 2013, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer mentioned in an interview with Cycle News magazine that KTM would produce a new dual-sport model based on the Duke 390 platform. More recently, a number of publications have reported the imminent release of a 2015 KTM 390 Adventure.

The 390 Adventure would use the Duke’s 43 hp 373cc single-cylinder engine, along with a larger tank, long-travel suspension and dual-sport tires. Design inspiration would come from the KTM 1190 Adventure and construction of the bike would take place in India for an international market.

News of this light-weight, affordable Adventure Bike has generated a lot of excitement on social media and Adventure Bike forums. Several artist sketches were generated showing what the bike might look like. Even a Facebook Fan Page was created for the new model.

. For those of you on your way out the door, ready to make a deposit at your local KTM dealer, you might want to hold on for a second. KTM’s Press & PR Coordinator in Austria provided ADV Pulse with an official response regarding the status of the 390 Adventure.

“From a strategical point of view KTM always considers new developments and for this reason: never say no. But currently such models are not foreseen.”

From this response, we can gather that there is no 390 Adventure ready to be released as a 2015 model and there is also no 390 adventure currently in development for the future. The KTM rep went on to say,

“…from a technical perspective other versions would require a complete different package. The existing layout can [be] used for Naked and Supersport models.”

Apparently, the current 390 Duke platform is only suitable for Naked and Supersport models. Although it’s still possible KTM could produce the bike one day, it appears that the current platform can not be easily adapted for use as an Adventure or Dual Sport model.

It is unfortunate that these rumors were perpetuated across the Internet, raising the hopes of many. However, the excitement generated about the bike could make KTM take notice and realize there is real demand for such a model. A new light-weight, affordable Adventure Bike from a major manufacturer could entice many new riders into the market.

Clearly, there is popular support and enthusiasm for a new Adventure Bike model in the 400cc range. For now the only option for a long-range capable Adventure Bike utilizing modern technology in the 400cc class, is the CCM GP450.

17 thoughts on “Hopes Dashed for Release of the 2015 KTM 390 Adventure?”

Ah this is pretty sad. We need to captivate the young audience with adventure bikes that are within their reach. When I was a kid I dreamed of Aston Martins and TVRs because getting a drivers licence in Ireland meant that if I had the money I could have any car I wanted. With the rules for a young man or woman owning a motorcycle and the limits of my own ability, I was all together more realistic about the bikes I loved, hence why I dreamed of a 125cc 2 stroke Cagiva Mito. The world needs more low cc dream bikes and rules that force kids to learn on them before moving up to he bigger bikes.

That is a real disapointment for me. I am looking to buy a small and light adventure bike for the use in the Phillipines and KTM has a fantastic base with a small, light and affordable 390 Duke.

An small KTM adventure version in EICMA 2014 that was where I am looking forward to, indeed I am planning my trip from Belgium already. I am very sad that it is not going to happen. There are no good alternatives no the CCM is much more expensive and damm ugly as well.

Well a KTM 690 Adventure would also be fantastic, but it looks like I need to wait for the japanese Yamaha or Honda to develop a dual sports version in that class.

Shame, I was already planning to fly to India pick one up at the factory and go to base camp at Mount Everest then on to Thailand. Now I will have to put a 21 inch front in my 650 Versys and junk a disc to save weight.